Automobile hood latch



June 7, E7, 7 3 ,508

I WAGNER AUTOMOBILE HOOD LATCH Filed July 1, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l Attorney ame 7, 192% R. WAGNER AUTOMOBILE HOOD LATCH Filed July 1, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Attorney Patented June 7, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD WAGNER, OF FLINT, MICHIGAN.

nuromoninn noon LATCH.

Application filed iuly 1,

This invention relates to an improved device which may be conveniently referred to as an automobile hood latch, the same being adapted for use in connection with the usual 5 spring held retainen and holding devices,

' which connect with these brackets, these hooks being actuated from a mechanism which is controlled from-the dash board-or the instrument board or at some other point within convenient reach of the operator of the machine.

My main object is to provide a device of this kind which includes simple and inexpensive parts arranged in a novel association, providing a device which is practical, easy of application, and convenient and easy to manipulate. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and drawmgs.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application. and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 1s a fra mentary view of a por-' tion of an automobi e, showing the radiator, hood and frame, together with one part ofthe improved hood retaining device.

Figure 2 is a transverse section showing the eneral arrangement of parts more plainly.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view show.-

ing one of the devices particularly.

Figure 4 is a view showing the mounting bracket for one of the devices.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a special keeper bracket Fi re 6 is a top plan view of an operating s aft, and means for manipulating the same.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1t will be seen that the referencecharacter 1 designates generally an automobile radiav tor, 2 the part of the hood, and 3 the aliennel bars of the chassis frame. The reference character 4 designates the dash boarder equivalent part of the automobile.

- The im roved device comprises four sep arate latc devices, and a description of one 1926. Serial No. 119,878.

will suflice for all. To this end, attention is first directed to Figure 3, wherein it will be seen that a mounting bracket 5 is fastened to the upper flange of one of the channel bars,

this being provided with a bearing for reception of an oscillatory shaft 6. In this connection, I would state that the shaft is cylindrical for the greater part of its length, but the ends are of square cross section, as shown in Figure 3. The squared ends fit into square openings provided in a retaining cam or hook 7. The bill of the hook is adapted to pass through a slot 8 formed in a keeper bracket 9 which is fastened tothe inner side of one of the swinging sides of the hood. A cam action is thus produced whereby the hood is drawn tightly down upon the channel bar to provide an effective closing joint here. It will be noticed from Figure 2 that there is a latch device at each end of the shaft 6, and novel operating means is provided for this shaft. The means comprises a link 10 which is connected with the cam and extends upwardly and is connected by a universal joint ll with a crank arm 10, on a rocker shaft 13. The rock-shaft is provided with a central operating handle or lever 14 which is accessible to the operator iif the machine from the interior of the car. As shown, there are two shafts- 6, a locking device at each end of each shaft, and a pair of operating links connected to crank arms at opposite ends of a single rock shaft-13. Gbvwusly then, when the rock shaft 13 is actuated, the operating mechanism serves to simultaneously bring all of the locking cams 7 into place by engaging the books with the slot in the keeper brackets. The usual externally disposed retainers are indicated in the drawings in Figure 2, by the reference characters 15. As before stated,

im rove device.

' rom the foregoin description and drawings it will be seen t at I have evolved and reduced novel structure which is operated from a single lever on the interior of the car for bringing into play a plurality of locking hooks producing a cam action upon their com lemental keeper brackets for drawing the inged sides of the hood down tightly into enga eme'nt with the frame of the automobile. ne of the outstanding features-of the device is that when it is used in connection with closed cars, the operator upon leaving the car may look his door, thus renderthese ma be dispensed with in view of the ing the operatin mechanism for the device tures and advanta' es of the invention have doubtless been ma e apparent from the foreing description and drawings. Moreover, t e details and relative arrangement is clear, and it is therefore thought that a more lengthy description is unnecessary, as a clear comprehension will undoubtedlybe obtained by persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates, upon reading the description in connection with the drawings.

Although the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it

is to be understood that minor changes coming within the invention'claimed may be resorted to, if desired.

I claim:

1. A hood latch of the class described comprising a mounting bracket adapted to be mounted on the interior of one of the channel bars of an automobile chassis frame, said bracket includingla bearing 0 ening, a shaft mounted forosci ation in sai beann 0 ening, a holding cam carried by said s a t, a keeper bracket adapted to be secured to the interior of one of the swingable sides of a hood, said bracket being 'rovided with a slot for passage of a part 0 said earn, a rock shaft adapted to be mounted upon a part of slots for {passage of portions of said cams, a 7

rock sha a link connected with said rock shaft and one of said cams, and an operating lever for said rock shaft.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

RICHARD WAGNER. 

